A significant, but unexpected uptick in North American tractor and combine sales in October is creating concerns with dealers about a build-up of used equipment taken in trade.
Italian tillage equipment specialist Maschio Gaspardo is looking to record a big increase in revenues this year following the acquisition of two spraying equipment companies toward the end of 2012.
Ambitious plans by Case IH managers in Europe to increase sales by 50% over the next three years are being supported in developing markets by one of North America’s largest retail dealer groups.
AGCO could make a move into the dairy equipment sector as managers look for new revenues and ways of capitalizing on the organization’s global sales, distribution and after-sales support resources.
Maybe it’s all the talk about the “fiscal cliff” or a general uncertainty in the overall economy that’s causing equipment dealers serving the rural lifestyle and lawn and landscape markets to hold back on their projections for 2013. On the other hand, very few dealers are exhibiting any real signs of pessimism about business levels in 2013, either.
Senior AGCO managers joined suppliers and other guests for the fanfare opening of a more efficient, higher capacity Fendt tractor factory in southern Germany. Confidently described as the worlds most modern tractor assembly plant, it has new production and assembly halls housing a 1 km-long production line, more efficient manufacturing processes, upgraded IT systems and new production technology.
Four of the last six months (through September), dealers are reporting that their equipment suppliers are offering more incentives to move wholegoods and parts than they did during the previous year.
It wasn't that long ago that the dealers we spoke with weren't feeling at all certain about their business prospects for the year ahead. Many of their customers who were most impacted by the 2012 drought were in a "bad mood" as they watched their crops wither in the field. Talking about buying new ag equipment wasn't high on their list of priorities.
Having recorded four years of buoyant annual growth, executives at Claas in Germany are confident that its Omaha, Neb. based operation will continue to capture a growing share of the North American combine market and are looking ahead to the day production will need to expand to meet demand.
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In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we take an initial look at the Dealer Business Outlook & Trends Report and what dealers are forecasting for 2025.